From the archives: Celebrating the Christmas of 40 years ago

Christmas parties. Pictured: Dereham grove house school party. Date: 21 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

1. One of the games at Dereham's Grove House School party just before Christmas 40 years ago was musical statues, which produced these unexpected poses.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Fakenham senior citizens party. Date: 10 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

2. About 80 people sat down to Christmas dinner at the Fakenham Good Companions Club in Fakenham's Women's Institute Hall. Grace was said by the Rev A Kirkman, superintendant Methodist minister. Entertainment for the members was provided by the Sculthorpe Merrymakers.

Christmas parties. Pictured: King's Lynn Campbell's Soups kids party. Date: 13 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

3. Children at the Campbell's Soups factory Christmas party at King's Lynn tuck into their tea before being entertained by musicians, a conjuror and films. More than 100 children attended the party which was held in the factory canteen.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Father Christmas Hewett School Norwich. Date: dec 24 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

4. Father Christmas 'snowed' up – with children at Norwich's Hewett School playgroup. Also pictured are the pupil helpers and other staff including supervisor Mrs Alma Martin, far left.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Rackheath xmas party. Date: 17 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

5. Members of the newly-formed Rackheath Senior Citizens' Club joined in the carol singing when they were entertained by the Sprowston group Liz's Friends at the club's first Christmas party, which was held in the village hall.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Rudham Crown senior citizens xmas party. Date: 21 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

6. Licensees Reggie Clark and wife Betty, centre, join in the fun at a senior citizens' party at the Rudham Crown.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Redcastle Furze playgroup Thetford xmas party. Date: 14 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

7. Eating was perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of their Christmas party for these children from Redcastle Furze Playgroup at Thetford.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Staniforth Road Thetford xmas party. Date: 13 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

8. Local magician Uncle Bill bewilders Staniforth Road playgroup youngsters at their Christmas party at Thetford.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Yarmouth Grenville Place Xmas party. Date: 20 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

9. More than 50 residents of Grenville Place in Yarmouth's Newtown district attended a Christmas dinner at the community centre. The meal was followed by entertainment, including music from the Merrymakers Concert Party and a bingo session.

Christmas parties. Pictured: Yarmouth Two Bears hotel xmas party. Date: 22 dec 1976. Picture: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

10. Yarmouth twins Jill and Jayne Simmons, 12, with Santa at the seventh annual Christmas party given to over 100 youngsters from Yarmouth, Gorleston, Lowestoft and Beccles by the North Sea Petroleum Golf Association at the Two Bears, Yarmouth. After tea the children were entertained by Dorothy and Jack Joseph with their children's party show which included the Lindley Puppet Theatre from Lowestoft. Also in the picture are the Mayor and Mayoress of Yarmouth, Mr and Mrs J Alex Laird and Mike Warnes, left, president of the North Sea Petroleum Golf Association.

If you recognise anyone in the pictures or would like to tell us more about them you can email rosemary.dixton@archant.co.uk

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